Acupuncture Treatment of Diseases

Traumatology 4: Cervical spondylopathy 颈椎病

Definition:

Also called “cervical syndrome” is a series of syndromes resulting from

i. Cervical nerve rootsii. Spinal cordiii. Vertebral arteriesiv. Cervical sympathetic nerves…… being stimulated and

compress by:

• Hyperplastic cervical spondylitis.• Herniated cervical intervertebral disc.• Degenerated changes of the cervical intervertebral

joints and ligaments.

• Common between 40 to 60 years old.

Causes and Pathogenesis :

Mainly caused by:

i. Debilitation in old age. ii. Insufficiency of the liver and kidney leading to

tendons and bones deprived of nourishment.iii. Invasion of external evils into the channels as a result

of tendon sprain and contusion.iv. Prolong sitting and consumption of qi leading to

tendons and muscle strain.

Clinical Manifestations:

Chief symptoms:

i. Gradual and slow onset with pain in the nape, shoulder, upper back, upper limbs region.

ii. Progressive with sensory disturbance and dyskinesia of the limbs.

Clinical Manifestations:

1. Blockage of wind-cold type

Stated manifestations with:

i. Presents with stiff neck.ii. Pain in the spine.iii. Aching and pain in the shoulder.iv. Limited neck movement. v. Numbness and coldness in the hands, worsen

when expose to cold.vi. May have aversion to cold and general soreness.vii. Thin white tongue with white greasy coating.viii. Tight pulse.

Clinical Manifestations:

2. Over exertion and blood stasis type

Stated manifestations with:

i. History of trauma or long sitting with head bending.ii. Pain in the neck, nape, shoulder and arms that

radiates down to the upper limb with numbness in the digits.

iii. Rigid neck. iv. Limited neck movement. v. Purple dark tongue with petechia. vi. Rough (unsmooth) pulse.

Clinical Manifestations:

3. Liver-kidney yin deficiency type

Stated manifestations with:

i. Pain in the neck, nape, shoulder and numbness and weakness in the limbs.

ii. Dizziness.iii. Blurred vision. iv. Tinnitus. v. Soreness and weakness of the waist.vi. Spermatorrhea / irregular menstruation.vii. Red tongue with light coating.viii. Weak, thready pulse.

Treatment : General principle

• Dredge and regulate qi and blood in the channel and the collaterals, invigorate blood and to relieve pain.

• Principle Channels:

1. GV channel.2. Small Intestine channel.3. Bladder channel.4. EX-O points.

Principle acupoints :

i. GV 14 Dazhui 大椎 .ii. SI 3 Houxi 后溪 .iii. BL 10 Tianzhu 天柱 .iv. EX-B 2 Jiaji (neck) 颈夹脊 .

Prescription explanation (Principle acupoint):

GV 14 Dazhui 大椎， SI 3 Houxi 后溪， BL 10 Tianzhu 天 EX-B 2 Jiaji (neck) 颈夹脊 are chosen to excite qi of yang channels, smooth and regulate qi of taiyang and GV channel, unblock collaterals and stop pain.

Principle of treatment

1. Blockage of Wind-cold type

• Dredge and regulate qi and blood in the channel and the collaterals, invigorate blood and to relieve pain.

• Dispelling wind to relieve pain. • Disperse cold

Principle acupoints: as stated

Supplementary acupoints:

• BL12 Fengmen 风门 .• GV 16 Fengfu 风府 .

Principle of treatment

2. Over exertion and blood stasis type

• Dredge and regulate qi and blood in the channel and the collaterals, invigorate blood and to relieve pain.

Principle acupoints: as stated

Supplementary acupoints:

• LI 4 Hegu 合谷 .• BL 17 Geshu 膈腧 .

Principle of treatment

3. Liver-kidney yin deficiency type

• Dredge qi and blood in the channel of the shoulder area, activating blood and dispelling wind to relieve pain.

• Tonify （ nourish） liver and kidney.

Principle acupoints: as stated

Supplementary acupoints:

• ST 36 Zusanli 足三里 .• BL 18 Ganshu 肝俞 .• BL 23 Shenshu 肾俞 .

TCM medical advises:

1. Avoid cold and raw food.2. Avoid invasion by pathogenic wind, cold and

damp.3. Combine with physiotherapy.